Flexible hose pump

ABSTRACT

A pump comprising a casing (1) having interior space in which there is provided a flexible hose (2) mounted for reciprocations having one end (5) thereof which is turned inside out and secured along the perimeter to the inner wall of the casing (1), and the other end thereof which is closed so as to sealingly divide the interior space of the casing (1) into two chambers (6,7) of which one chamber (7) communicates with a source (12) of fluid being pumped and with a delivery line. In order to move the flexible hose (2) in one direction, its closed end is secured to a drum (3) operatively connected to a motor and installed in one of the chambers (6,7), and movement in the opposite direction is effected under the action of working fluid pressure built-up in one of the chambers (6,7).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the pump engineering, and more specifically, itdeals with hydraulic and pneumatic displacement pumps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Widely known in the art are piston pumps comprising a cylinder and apiston mounted for reciprocations in the cylinder. The cylindercommunicates, via valves, with a source of fluid being pumped and with adelivery line. The piston is driven by a motor by means of a crank gear.

Discharge rate of such a pump may be increased by raising piston speedor increasing the pump size, but any increase in the discharge rate islimited by inertia forces and friction which becomes greater with anincrease in the area of friction surfaces. An increase in the number ofcylinders with pistons results in a decrease in power-to-weight ratioand efficiency and in an increase in metal weight-to-discharge ratio andalso in a more complicated design. All these factors impose additionalstringent requirements upon accuracy and finish in the manufacture.

Known in the art is a hydraulic actuator having a casing with aninterior space in which a toroidal flexible shell is provided which ismounted for reciprocations and comprises a hose having the ends whichare turned inside out and which are individually secured along theperimeter to the inner wall of the casing. An annular partition dividingthe interior space into two chambers is provided in the casing betweenthe fixed ends of the hose. The partition has a central opening with asealing means, the hose passing from one chamber into the other throughthis opening. The chambers communicate with hydraulic lines foralternately supplying working fluid thereto (cf. SU, 918590).

When the hose passes through the central opening having the sealingmeans, folds are formed in the hose, and working fluid overflow from onechamber to the other occurs through these folds thus loweringefficiency. In addition, an increased friction occurs in the sealingmeans which also lowers efficiency and causes substantial wear of thehose and sealing members. The envelope moving almost completely from onechamber into the other requires the apparatus size to be very large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the problem of providing a pump in which theinterior of the casing is divided into two chambers in such a manner asto ensure their complete sealing with respect to each other therebyimproving capacity and efficiency.

This problem is solved by that there is provided a pump comprising acasing having an interior space in which there is provided a flexiblehose mounted for reciprocations having one end thereof which is turnedinside out and secured along the perimeter to the inner wall of thecasing and the other end thereof which is closed so as to sealinglydivide the interior space of the casing into two chambers of which onechamber communicates with a source of fluid being pumped and with adelivery line, wherein, according to the invention, in order to move theflexible hose in one direction, its closed end is secured to a drumoperatively connected to a motor and installed in one of the chambers,and movement in the opposite direction is effected under the action ofworking fluid pressure built-up in one of the chambers.

The drum is preferably installed in the chamber which commuicates with aworking fluid admission and discharge system the other chambercommunicates with a source of fluid being pumped and with the deliveryline.

This arrangement makes it possible to pump one fluid using anotherfluid. Both fluids are completely separated so that any fluids an beused as working fluid and fluid being pumped.

The source of fluid being pumped may communicate with the other chamberat a point most remote from the point at which the end of the flexiblehose is secured.

This communication of the source of fluid being pumped with the otherchamber, when the drum is located in the chamber communicating with thesystem for admission and discharge of working fluid, the other chambercommunicating with the source of fluid being pumped and delivery line,will make it possible, in vacuum applications, to create a gradualpressure reduction thus lowering cavitation, hence wear of the pump.

The source of fluid being pumped may communicate with the other chamberat a point adjacent to the point at which the end of the flexible hoseis secured.

This communication, when the drum is located in the chambercommunicating with the system for working fluid admission and dischargeand when the other chamber communicates with the source of fluid beingpumped and delivery line, makes it possible to create vacuum hammer.

A second source of fluid being pumped is preferably provided, a point ofcommunication of the second source with the other chamber being locatedadjacent to the point where the end of the flexible hose is secured.

This arrangement, when the drum is located in the chamber communicatingwith the system for admission and discharge of working fluid and whenthe other chamber communicates with the source of fluid being pumped anddelivery line and the first source of fluid being pumped communicateswith the other chamber at a point most remote from the point at whichthe end of the flexible hose is secured, makes it possible to createsimultaneously gradual and sudden pressure reduction.

It is also preferred that a second source of fluid being pumped beprovided which communicates with the other chamber at a point adjacentto the point where the end of the flexible hose is secured, the pointsat which both said sources communicate with said chamber beingequidistant from the point at which the end of the flexible hose issecured.

This construction, when the drum is located in the chamber communicatingwith the system for admission and discharge of working fluid and whenthe other chamber communicates with the source of fluid being pumped anddelivery line and when the source of fluid being pumped communicateswith the other chamber at a point adjacent to the point at which the endof the flexible hose is secured, makes it possible to carry out vacuummixing of two fluids.

It is also preferred that a third source of fluid being pumped beprovided, the point of communication of this source with the otherchamber being located intermediate between points of communication ofthe first and second sources with said chamber.

This construction, when the drum is provided in the chamber whichcommunicates with the system for admission and discharge of workingfluid and when the other chamber communicates with the source of fluidbeing pumped and delivery line and the source of fluid being pumpedcommunicates with the other chamber at a point most remote from thepoint at which the end of the flexible hose is secured and when there isprovided a second source of fluid being pumped communicating with theother chamber at a point adjacent to the point at which the end of theflexible hose is secured, makes it possible to enlarge the processingcapabilities so that three components of fluid being pumped can bemixed.

The drum may be provided in the chamber communicating with a source offluid being pumped and delivery line, the other chamber being sealinglyclosed so as to create therein working fluid pressure reduction duringmovement of the flexible hose when its closed end is wound on the drum.

This arrangement makes it possible to pump fluid by rotating the drum,i.e. by means of a mechanical drive.

Two pumps according to the invention may be used for making-up anapparatus in which drum shafts are mounted coaxially with, andoperatively connected to each other.

This construction makes it possible to improve discharge rate and lowerpressure fluctuations of fluid being pumped in the delivery line.

Four pumps according to the invention may be used for making-up anapparatus in which the pumps have a common chamber in which at least onedrum is provided, the longitudinal axes of the flexible hoses beingequally spaced around the drum axis.

This construction makes it possible to pump four absolutely incompatiblefluids using one and the same working fluid.

The pump according to the invention features higher discharge rate andefficiency with a comparatively simple design, while being more reliablein operation and having a longer service life. Requirements imposed uponaccuracy and finish during manufacture are substantially lower, andmetal weight-to-capacity ratio is substantially reduced.

The construction of the pump according to the invention substantiallyenlarges process capabilities of the employment of the pump since it isnow possible to pump any fluids, create vacuum with deep pressurereduction, both gradually and suddenly, and also to carry out vacuummixing of different fluids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the pump according to the invention will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a pump according to the invention, alongitudinal sectional view;

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal section view of a pump with a sourceof fluid being pumped communicating with the other chamber adjacent tothe point at which the end of a flexible hose is secured;

FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal section view of a pump with twosources of fluid being pumped;

FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal section view of a pump, with twosources of fluid being pumped communicating with the other chamber atpoints equidistant from the point at which the end of a flexible hose issecured;

FIG. 5 shows a pump with three sources of fluid being pumped;

FIG. 6 shows a pump according to the invention, with a sealingly closedother chamber;

FIG. 7 shows an apparatus having two pumps according to the invention;

FIG. 8 shows an apparatus having four pumps according to the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A pump according to the invention comprises a casing 1 (FIG. 1) havingan interior space accommodating a flexible hose 2 and a drum 3 having ashaft 4 operatively connected to a motor (not shown). One end 5 of theflexible hose 2 is turned inside out and secured along the perimeter tothe inner wall of the casing 1. The other end of the flexible hose 2 isclosed and connected to the drum 3 so as to sealingly divide theinterior space of the casing 1 into two chambers 6 and 7, respectively.Therefore, the drum 3 is located in the chamber 6 which communicates,via an admission valve 8 and a discharge valve 9, with a source ofworking fluid 10 and with the environment, respectively. The chamber 7communicates, via a valve 11, with a source 12 of fluid being pumpedand, via a valve 13, with a delivery line.

In this embodiment, the point at which the chamber 7 communicates withthe source 12 of fluid being pumped is at the end wall 14 of the casing1, i.e. it is most remote from the point at which the end 5 of theflexible hose 2 is secured. This location of the point at which thesource 12 of fluid being pumped communicates with the chamber makes itpossible to create a gradual pressure reduction in vacuum applications.

To carry out sudden pressure reduction, a point 15 (FIG. 2) at which thesource of fluid being pumped communicates with the chamber is locatedadjacent to the point at which the end 5 of the flexible hose 2 issecured.

In the embodiment of the pump shown in FIG. 3 there are two sources offluid being pumped: the source 12 communicating with the chamber 7 at apoint most remote from the point at which the end 5 of the flexible hoseis secured, and a source 15 which communicates with the chamber 7 at apoint adjacent to the point at which the end 5 of the flexible hose issecured. This arrangement makes it possible to create pressure reductiongradually in one source and suddenly in the the source.

To improve mixing of two fluids during pumping, in the embodiment of thepump shown in FIG. 4, a point at which a second source 16 of fluid beingpumped communicates with the chamber 7 and a point at which the source15 of fluid being pumped communicates with the chamber 7 are equidistantfrom the point at which the end 5 of the flexible hose 2 is secured.

For mixing three fluids, a third source 17 (FIG. 5) of fluid beingpumped is provided, a point at which this third source communicates withthe chamber 7 via a valve 18 being located intermediate between thepoints at which the first source 12 and the second source 15 communicatewith the chamber 7.

To simplify the design by dispensing with a working fluid source in thepump shown in FIG. 6, a chamber 19 is sealingly closed, and a chamber 20in which a drum 3 is provided, communicates via a valve 21 with a sourceof a fluid being pumped and via a valve 23, with the delivery line.

FIG. 7 shows an apparatus having two pumps according to the invention,each being substantially similar to one of the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1 through 5. The shafts 4 with the drums 3 are installed coaxiallywith, and operatively connected to each other by means of a clutchmember 24 mounted on the shaft 4 which is alternately engageable withclutch members 25 and 26 of the drums 3. Both pumps are supplied fromone and the same source 27 of working fluid, the alternate communicationwith the source of working fluid being effected by means of a controlvalve 28. Delivery lines 29 and 30 of the pumps are interconnected bymeans of check valves 31 and 32, respectively. This arrangement makes itpossible to increase discharge rate and lower fluctuations of pressureof fluid being pumped.

In the embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8 and having four pumpsaccording to the invention, the pumps have a common chamber 33 in whicha drum 34 is installed and which has closed ends of flexible hoses 2secured thereto. Longitudinal axes of the flexible hoses 2 are equallyspaced around the axis of the drum 3. The chamber 33 communicates with asource 35 of working fluid and with the environment through valves 36and 37, respectively. Each of the pumps has an individual chamber 38communicating with sources 39, 40, 41, 42 of fluid being pumped and withdelivery lines 43, 44, 45, 46, respectively.

The pump functions in the following manner.

Working fluid is admitted from the source 10, via the open valve 8, tothe chamber 6. The hose 2 is payed-off from the drum 3 freely rotatingon the shaft 3 and reaches the end wall 14. The pump is now ready foroperation. The valve 9 for communication of the chamber 6 with theenvironment and the valve 11 for communication of the chamber 7 with thesource 12 of fluid being pumped are opened. The closed end of the hose 2is wound on the drum 3 when the latter is rotated by a drive means, andthe hose 2 will displace working fluid from the chamber 6. Pressurereduction occurs in the chamber 7, and fluid being pumped is sucked intothe chamber from the source 12. When the hose 2 reaches the opposite endposition adjacent to the point at which the end 5 is secured, thechamber 7 is filled-up with fluid being pumped. The valves 9 and 11 areclosed and the valves 8 and 13 are opened. Working fluid under pressureis admitted from the source 10 to the chamber 6 to move the hose 2towards the end wall 14. The hose 2 is payed-off from the freelyrotating drum and displaces fluid being pumped from the chamber 7through the valve 13 into the delivery line. Then the above-describedcycle is repeated.

In the embodiments of the pump shown in FIGS. 2,3,4 operation occurssubstantially similarly to the above given description. Since in theembodiment shown in Figure 2 the point at which the source 15 of fluidbeing pumped communicates with the chamber 7 is located adjacent to thepoint at which the end 5 of the hose 2 is secured, the latter willseal-off the point at which the chamber 7 communicates with the source15 during unwinding from the drum 3. When the hose 2 is wound on thedrum 3, the chamber 7 will be sealingly closed, and pressure reductionwill occur therein until the moment at which the hose 2 will opencommunication with the source 15 in which vacuum will be suddenlyproduced.

In the embodiment of the pump having two sources 12 and 15 of fluidbeing pumped (FIG. 3), when the hose 2 is wound on the drum 3, a gradualpressure reduction is effected in the source 12, and a sudden pressurereduction will occur in the source 15.

For improving mixing of two fluids (FIG. 4), the embodiment is usedwherein the sources 15 and 16 of components of fluid being pumped areequally spaced from the point at which the end 5 of the hose 2 issecured. When the hose 2 is wound on the drum 3, vacuum is created inthe chamber 7. When the hose 2 simultaneously uncovers both points atwhich the sources 15 and 16 communicate with the chamber, jets ofcomponents of fluid being pumped will escape at high velocity from bothsources, to collide and to be comminuted and mixed in the resultantvortices. When the hose 2 is unwound by pumping working fluid into thechamber 6, the resultant mix will be displaced into the delivery line.

For mixing three components of fluid being pumped (FIG. 5), a pump withthe three sources 11, 15 and 17 of fluid being pumped is used. When thehose 2 is wound on the drum 3, the valves 11 and 18 of the sources 12and 17, respectively, are opened. Pressure reduction occurs in thechamber 7 so that fluids being pumped are admitted from the source 12and from the sources 17 and 15 as they are uncovered by the hose 2. Whenthe chamber 7 is filled with fluid being pumped, which includes threecomponents, the valves 9, 11 and 18 are closed, and the valves 8 and 13are opened. Operation then occurs similarly to the abovedescribedembodiments, the point at which the source 15 communicates with thechamber being covered by the hose when mixture displacement into thedelivery line begins.

When vacuum is used in the pump (FIG. 6) to replace working fluid, theinitial position of the flexible hose 2 is that in which it is unwoundand adjacent to the end wall 14. The valve 21 of the source 22 of fluidbeing pumped is open, the valve 23 of the delivery line is closed. Fluidbeing pumped flows under gravity into the chamber 20 to fill it. Thepump is ready for operation. The valve 21 is closed, and the valve 23 isopened. When the hose 2 is wound on the drum 3, the fluid being pumpedis displaced through the valve 23 into the delivery line. At the sametime, pressure reduction occurs in the chamber 19. Then the valve 23 isclosed, and the valve 21 is opened. Pressure in the chamber 20 becomesgreater than that in the chamber 19. The drum 3 is disengaged from thedrive means. Owing to a pressure difference between both chambers, thehose 2 starts being freely unwound from the drum 3 in the directiontowards the end wall 14. The volume of the chamber 20 increases, andfluid being pumped is sucked therein. Then the cycle is repeated.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 7 comprises two pumps having their drums 3mounted on coaxial shafts 4. Operation of each of the pumps is similarto operation of the pumps described above. While one pump performssuction of fluid being pumped, the other pump performs delivery. Thevalve 28 alternately establishes communication of the source 27 ofworking fluid with respective chamber of each pump. The clutch members25 and 26 of the drums 3 alternately come in engagement with the clutchmember 24 coupled to the drive means. The valves 31 and 32 alternatelyestablish communication of respective chambers with the delivery line.

Not only does the use of the two-pump apparatus result in an increaseddischarge rate, but it also lowers fluctuations of pressure of fluidbeing pumped.

Four pumps making-up the apparatus shown in FIG. 8 function similarly tothe pumps described above. Rotation of the drum 34 ensures winding offour hoses 2 simultaneously for concurrent suction of four fluids beingpumped into the chamber 38 of each of the pumps from the sources 39, 40,41 and 42, respectively. Supplying working fluid from the source 35 ofworking fluid ensures unwinding of all hoses and displacement of fluidsbeing pumped from each respective pump.

This apparatus makes it possible not only to improve discharge rate, butalso to pump absolutely different fluids.

The pump according to the invention is capable of pumping large amountsof fluid. The discharge rate of a pump with a hose 10 m in diameter and50 m long is 25 m³ /s.

The pump according to the invention may be used for creating vacuum. Thevacuum of 10⁻² is created during 300 s in a volume of 3000 m³.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The pump according to the invention may be most advantageously used forpumping liquids.

The invention may also be used for creating vacuum and also for mixingvarious fluids by vacuum technique.

We claim:
 1. A pump comprising a casing (1) having an inner wall and aninterior space having a flexible hose (2) mounted for reciprocationhaving a first end (5) which is turned inside out and sealingly securedalong the perimeter to the inner wall of the casing (1) and a second endwhich is closed so as to sealingly divide the interior space of thecasing (1) into two chambers (6, 7) wherein one chamber communicateswith a source (12) of fluid being pumped and with a delivery line, thesecond end is secured to a drum operatively connected to a motorarranged in one of the chambers (6, 7), to move the flexible hose in onedirection, and means for effecting movement in the opposite direction bythe action of a pressure of a working fluid in one of the chambers (6,7).
 2. A pump according to claim 1, characterized in that the drum (3)is provided in the chamber (6) communicating with a system for admission(8, 10) and discharge (9) of working fluid, the other chamber (7)communicating with the source (12) of fluid being pumped and with thedelivery line.
 3. A pump according to claim 2, characterized in that thesource (12) of fluid being pumped communicates with the other chamber(7) at a point remote from the point at which the end (5) of theflexible hose (2) is secured.
 4. A pump according to claim 3,characterized in that there is provided a second source (15) of fluidbeing pumped and a point at which this second source (15) communicateswith the other chamber (7) is located adjacent to the point at which theend (5) of the flexible hose (2) is secured.
 5. A pump according toclaim 1, characterized in that the drum (3) is provided in the chamber(20) communicating with the source (22) of fluid being pumped anddelivery line, the other chamber (19) being sealingly closed forcreating pressure reduction of working fluid therein during movement ofthe closed end of the flexible hose (2).
 6. A pump according to claim 1,comprising a plurality of pumps wherein the shafts (4) of the drums (3)are mounted coaxially with, and operatively connected to each other. 7.A pump according to claim 1, comprising four pumps wherein the pumpshave common chamber (33) wherein there is provided at least one drum(34), the longitudinal axes of the flexible hoses (2) being equallyspaced around the axis of the drum (34).
 8. A pump of claim 2 havingsources of pumped fluid arranged along the casing between the first endof the hose and an end of the casing in communication with the deliveryline.
 9. A pump according to claim 8, characterized in that the source(15) of fluid being pumped communicates with the other chamber (7) at apoint adjacent to the point at which the end (5) of the flexible hose(2) is secured.
 10. A pump according to claim 8, characterized in thatthere is provided a second source (16) of fluid being pumpedcommunicating with the other chamber (7) at a point adjacent to thepoint at which the end (5) of the flexible hose (2) is secured, thepoints at which both said sources (15, 16) communicate with said chamber(7) being equidistant from the point at which the end (5) of theflexible hose (2) is secured.
 11. A pump according to claim 8,characterized in that there is provided a third source (17) of fluidbeing pumped, communicating with the other chamber (7) at a point whichis located intermediate between the points at which the first (11) andsecond (15) sources communicate with said chamber (7).